Opel appoints new interim chief

2012-07-18 09:21

The supervisory board of General Motors' Opel brand has named Thomas Sedran as head of Opel in the latest restructuring move for the company.

Sedran's new title as acting deputy chairman of the Opel management board follows the announcement that GM vice-chairman Steve Girsky would head the Europe division on an interim basis, following Karl-Friedrich Stracke stepping down after 16 months on the job.

Stracke will, however, still take on special assignments and report to GM chairman and CEO Dan Akerson.

LESS BUREAUCRACY

GM has lost $14-billion (about R114-billion) in Europe during the past 12 years. Akerson told shareholders Europe was the automaker's biggest challenge.

Girsky said they would continue to implement the business plan and work to improve it. “We will further reduce bureaucracy and continue to challenge the corporate culture.”

Sedran, a long-time consultant, will continue his management board role in charge of operations, business development and corporate strategies, which he has held since April.

Wolfgang Schafer-Klug, head of the Opel Works Council and deputy Opel supervisory board chairman, said the new team around Steve Girsky stood for change that Opel/Vauxhall urgently needs.

“Leaner management structures, transparency, accountability and enforcement capability. They will put Opel back on a growth path."